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The 10-year-old son of charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson collected his late mother’s CBE in a moving ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Steven Tomlinson received the accolade from the Prince of Wales in the grand ballroom, watched by hundreds of investiture guests.

Steven Tomlinson receives his mother’s CBE from Prince Charles

Dressed in a smart suit and tie, the youngster, dwarfed in height by the other recipients, calmly lined up and approached the dais on his own to perform the difficult task.

Heir to the throne Charles bent down slightly to talk to him as he handed over the medal.

Steven’s father Mike watched proudly, sitting on the side seats close to the front.

Mrs Tomlinson, 43, lost her seven-year battle with cancer in September after raising more than £1.75 million for charity.

The NHS radiographer, from Rothwell, Leeds, defied doctors who gave her months to live after her cancer diagnosis in 2000. She took part in a series of gruelling endurance events to raise money for charity – including three London Marathons, several triathlons and the Great North Run.

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As Steven moved back after collecting the award, he bowed his head according to protocol before being met by the Queen’s Piper, who reunited him with his father.

Mr Tomlinson said his wife had been hesitant about accepting the CBE because she already had an MBE, but agreed so that Steven could go to the Palace as he missed out on the last ceremony.

Outside in the quadrangle, Steven said: “I feel very proud of her. She definitely deserves an award. She was extraordinary all the way through.”